More than 300 offences were recorded in the Northern Grampians Police Area during Victoria Police’s Operation Roadwise between December 14 and January 6.

Seven people were nabbed drug driving while five were caught drink driving.

Stawell Police Station Commander Senior Sergeant Tevis Wright said he is disappointed to see those numbers during the holiday period.

“It is disappointing people are still driving under substances and still prepared to take those risks on the road,” he said.

“It is good we are catching them and getting them off the road but not good to see it is still happening.

“The risk to road safety of the drivers themself as well as other road users is obvious.”

Speeding drivers made up the majority of the 330 offences during the operation in the Northern Grampians area, with 255 people caught over the speed limit.

“At anytime speeding is risky but the end results can be all the more tragic,” Senior Sergeant Wright said.

“It is especially disappointing in our area in particular given the risk with wildlife on the roads.”

Related: Nine lives lost on Wimmera roads in 2018

More than 12,000 people were caught speeding across the state while more drug driving offences (920) were recorded than drink driving (892).

Senior Sergeant Wright said police will continue to work hard as the year progresses to ensure road users in the region stay safe.

“We will work hard to be visible and try to prevent these risky behaviours,” he said.

“The community has a massive part to play because in the end they are the ones behind the wheel and their decisions will be the ones keeping people safe.”

The road toll reduced by 45 in 2018 to 214, a number Victoria Police and other road safety partners will continue to work to reduce.

While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.